Electrolytic apparatus.



P. BORGNET.

ELEUTROLYTIG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1907.

Patented NOV. 10, 1908.

v Inventon Paul Borgnet.

Witnesses.

By his Attorney.

PAUL BORGNET, OF LIEGE, BELGIUM.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

Application filed May 11, 1907. Serial No. 373,158.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL BORGNET, a-subject of the Kingdom of Belgium, residing in Liege, in Belgium, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,- and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked therein, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an' electrolytic apparatus in which it is possible to utilize currents of great intensity because the electrolyte moves rapidly relatively to the cathode, and the latter is alternately immersed in and caused to emerge from the said electrolyte as a result of the movement of rotation imprrted to it.

This apparatus comprises broadly a tank in which the electrolyte is given a movement of rapid displacement and upon which the cathode floats, this cathode having imparted to it a movement of rotation. In addition to the possibility of using intense currents the apparatus presents the advantage of being exceedingly simple in construction and of consuming relatively little motive power.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent in longitudinal section, cross-section and in plan, an apparatus in accordance with the invention used for making a galvanic de osit on a cylindrical. mandrel. Figs. 4 to represent various forms of mandrels and floats.

A tank 1, the angles of which are rounded off and which is partly divided by a longitudinal partition 3, is provided at one of its ends with a vane wheel 2 mounted on a vertical shaft to which a movement of rapid rotation is imparted, and which causes the electrolyte to circulate in the direction indicated by the arrow. Upon the electrolyte displaced in this manner, mandrels 4 float; at each of their ends they receive a belt 5 driven by a pulley 6, the axis of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tank 1. The driving belts prevent the mandrels from being carried along by the current produced by the wheel 2. The galvanic deposit takes place upon these mandrels, which are rendered suitably conducting, by an electric I current supplied through the contacts 7.

Anodes S are of course arranged in proximity to them.

It will be obvious that owing to this double movement of the cathode and of the electrolyte each portion of the cathode will be given a velocity relatively to the electrolyte equal to the composite velocity due to these two movements. It is also obvious that each portion of the cathode will be alternately immersed in the electrolyte and will then emerge, the result bein to facilitate the liberation of the gaseous bubbles.

It is obvious that the displacement of the electrolyte might be realized by any other appropriate method; for example, instead of a wheel, a pump or a steam jet might be utilized.

Fig. 4 represents an advantageous form of mandrel for the manufacture of tubes. It terminates in points 9 in order to oppose less resistance to the stream of electrolyte. The belts are received in grooves 10.

When it is required to make a deposit upon a non-floating body, it is combined with one or more floats 11, as shown in Fig. 5 in the case of a solid shaft 12. It will of course be understood that the form and dimensions of the floats and the position of the grooves for the reception of the belts actuating the cathode will vary with the form of the bodies to be covered. The belts 5 may be dispensed with and the ends of the mandrel or of the floats may be provided with propeller screws 13 or with helicoidal surfaces 14 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the action of the stream of electrolyte upon these parts will be suflicient to impart the required rotation to the cathode. In this case it is obviously necessary in order that the cathode may not be displaced by the stream to provide a bearing for one of its ends against a fixed stop.

This apparatus is equally suitable for the extraction of metals from their ores, and for any other applications of electrolysis, as for galvanic deposit properly socalled. It may also be utilized with advantage for the production of electric current seeing that its principal characteristic is to avoid polarization.

If it is not desired to obtain the advantages resulting from the alternate immersion and emersion of the cathode or of a portion of the cathode, the floats might be arranged vertically.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that What I claim is 1. In an apparatus for electro-deposition, a vessel for containing the electrolyte, a cathode arranged to float unsupported in the bath, an anode in the bath arranged in proximity to the floating cathode, and a conductor arranged to bear against the cathode.

In an apparatus for electro-deposition, a vessel for containing the electrolyte, a cathode arranged to float unsupported in the bath, an anode in the bath arranged in proximity to the floatingcathode, a conductor arranged to bear against the cathode, and means for causing a circulation of the electrolyte.

3. In an apparatus for electro-deposition, a vessel for containing the electrolyte, a cathode arranged to float unsupported in the bath, an anode in the bath arranged in proximity to the floating cathode, a conductor arranged to bear against the cathode and means for causing the rotation of the cathode.

4. In an apparatus for electro-deposition, a vessel for containing the electrolyte, a cathode arranged to float unsupported in the bath, an anode in the bath arranged in proximity to the floating cathode, a conductor arranged to bear against the cathode, means for causing a circulation of the electrolyte, and means for causing rotation of the cathode. l

5. In an apparatus for electro-deposition, a vessel for containing the electrolyte, a cathode arranged to float unsupported in the bath, an anode in the bath arranged in proximity to the floating cathode, a conductor arranged to bear against the cathode, and means on the cathode for causing its rotation from the movement of the electrolyte.

6. In an apparatus for electrddeposition, a vessel containing an electrolyte, means for causing a circulation of the electrolyte, a

. cathode organized to float in the electrolyte,

and means on the cathode for causing its revolution by the engagement of the moving stream of the electrolyte.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

PAUL BORGNET.

Witnesses:

GEORGES VANDER HAUGHEN, LEONARD LEVA. 

